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How do core values of interdependence and interconnectedness shape our communities?

The final guest in our series on Christian Nationalism Sister Eilis McCulloh. Bishop Wright and Sr. Eilis discuss connectedness, values, and how connection and understanding go hand in hand! Sr. Eilis McCulloh, a Catholic nun with a rich background in law and theology, shares her inspiring journey from her Irish Catholic upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio, to her impactful work in social justice and policy advocacy. Discover how her grandmother's lessons on love and relationships influenced her path and how the Sisters of the Humility of Mary inspired her to embody Catholicism through social justice. Listen in for the full conversation.

Sr. Eilis McCulloh is a Sister of the Humility of Mary currently serving as the Grassroots Education and Organizing Specialist at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. She’s also the cohost of Just Politics and regularly writes for Global Sisters Report. Her most recent publication, “I’m a Catholic sister. Project 2025 does not reflect my values” was published by Religion News Service.

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Why is Christian Nationalism on the rise and what does Jesus think about it?
 
The next guest in our series on Christian Nationalism is Texas State Representative James Talarico. Bishop Wright and Rep. Talarico discuss this question and the history of corruptive power taking us all the way back to biblical times. Rep. Talarico also shares his unique perspective as a former teacher, touching on his battle against bills that mandate the Ten Commandments in public schools and replace trained counselors with religious chaplains. Listen in for the full conversation.

State Rep. James Talarico (Tx) is an American politician and former teacher. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 to represent District 52, which includes the cities of Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto, and Georgetown in Williamson County. Following the 2020 redistricting cycle, Talarico announced his run for a seat in District 50 in 2022, which he won. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His sermon on Christian Nationalism preached in October 2023 but uploaded to YouTube in March 2024 has over 700k views.

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What happens when faith and nationalism collide?

The next guest in our Christian Nationalism series is The Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, author of The Psychology of Christian Nationalism. Bishop Wright and Dr. Cooper-White explore this question and dissect the rise of Christian Nationalism in America. Dr. Cooper White sheds light on how this movement attempts to reshape the U.S. into a fictional Christian nation. Listen in for the full conversation.

The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White, Ph.D., is the Christiane Brooks Johnson Professor of Psychology and Religion, Emerita, and Dean and Vice President Emerita for Academic Affairs, at Union Theological Seminary, New York, also serving for 8 years as Assisting Priest at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York. Previously, she was Gautier Professor of Pastoral Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA and co-director of the Atlanta Theological Association’s ThD program in pastoral counseling. She was the 2013-14 Fulbright-Freud Scholar of Psychoanalysis in Vienna, Austria. An award-winning author, she has published 10 books including Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling (2nd ed. forthcoming 2024) and Old and Dirty Gods: Religion, Antisemitism, and the Origins of Psychoanalysis, as well as over 100 articles and book chapters. Her most recent book, The Psychology of Christian Nationalism, was awarded the INDIE independent publishers’ 2022 gold medal for social and political science. She is a frequent keynote speaker both nationally and internationally.

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Christian Nationalism is an ideology that’s everywhere, masquerades as a theology that has infected our politics and seeks to guide our policies locally and nationally. The problem with Christian Nationalism is that it doesn’t have anything to do with the Jesus of the Bible. Exposing Christian Nationalism, our new series, will discuss this every Friday in September.

Our first guest is Dr. Michael W. Austin, author of American Christian Nationalism: Neither American nor Christian. Bishop Wright and Dr. Austin have a conversation about how figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter have harnessed their faith to foster inclusion and the common good, challenging the exclusionary and coercive tendencies of Christian Nationalism. Dr. Austin provides a nuanced examination of how this ideology clashes with core American values and Christian principles, offering a vision for a more harmonious and inclusive form of Christian political engagement. Listen in for the full conversation.

Dr. Michael W. Austin is Foundation Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University, Bonhoeffer Senior Fellow of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership at Hebrew College, and current president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. He received a B.A. in political science from Kansas State University, an M.A. in philosophy from Talbot School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His research is focused on ethics and spiritual formation, especially issues related to the cultivation of character and connections between character and the common good. He’s published 15 books, including Humility and Human Flourishing (Oxford University Press, 2018) and God and Guns in America (Eerdmans, 2020). His latest book is Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ (Eerdmans, 2024). His next book, due out in October, is American Christian Nationalism: Neither American nor Christian (Eerdmans).

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What if Labor Day was about more than just barbecues and a day off work? Truly honoring labor means advocating for living wages, healthcare, and quality education for all that labor. 

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright unpack the deeper meaning of Labor Day through the lens of Mark 7:1-23. Together, they challenge the superficial celebrations and call for tangible, material improvements in the lives of essential workers who keep our society running. Listen in for the full conversation.

Before listening, read For Faith.

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What does it mean to be a spiritual leader for young adults? The Rev. Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry, the Dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College, brings her rich, ecumenical background to the table, sharing how her diverse religious experiences inform her inclusive ministry. 

Dr. Guidry and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the expansive love of Jesus Christ and how it goes hand in hand with relational presence and proximity. Dr. Guidry opens up about the challenges she encounters when ministering to young adults and underscores the value of embracing a wide spectrum of spiritual beliefs in an academic setting. Listen in for the full conversation. 

The Rev. Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry (she/her/hers) is a highly sought-after teacher, preacher, leader and commentator. Dr. Guidry currently serves as the Dean of the Chapel and the Director of the WISDOM Center at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. A womanist homiletician and practitioner, she is the author of Curating a World: Sermonic Words from a Young Woman Who Preaches.

She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University (BA) and Yale Divinity School (M.Div.), where she was the 2010 recipient of the Walcott Prize for Clear and Effective Public and Pulpit Speaking, and the 2019 recipient of the William Sloane Coffin Alumni Award for Peace and Justice. She is also a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Liturgical Studies, Homiletics concentration). Her dissertation was entitled, “Towards a Womanist Homiletical Theology for Subverting Rape Culture.” She is a member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the MLK Jr. International Chapel Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Learn more about Dr. Guidry at www.revneichelle.com

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All of us have insight. Insight is the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing. From insight comes wisdom. Proverbs 9:1-6 invites us to consider the role of spiritual mentorship and community in cultivating true wisdom.

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the intergenerational responsibility and timeless principles presented in Proverbs. Discover how living for God, loving others, and practicing generosity can create a more understanding and cohesive world. Listen in for the full conversation.

Before listening, read For Faith.

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What distinguishes being nice from being kind? Kindness is rooted in truth, boldness, and courage. The definition of nice is agreeable. Big difference.

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about real kindness, embodying the teaching of Jesus, and the ripple effect of our actions on those around us. The conversation underscores the importance of living out Jesus's teachings through grace and forgiveness, especially during tumultuous periods like election cycles. Listen in for the full conversation.

Before listening, read For Faith.

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What role does faith play when you're on the cusp of major life changes? With God, we are able to stand on firm foundation. A foundation that keeps us on solid ground during times of transition and uncertainty.

In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Kelsey Andries of St. Simon's Conyers. Kelsey is preparing for major change as she heads to college this fall, and she shares her young wisdom of keeping her faith near during this new season. Melissa and Kelsey discuss the importance of building a strong foundation with God and practical ways to stay engaged in your faith during life transition. 

Kelsey Andries is a member of St. Simon’s Conyers. She has been involved with the EYCDIOATL Youth Program for the past several years. Kelsey also had the opportunity to lead Happening 79 this past spring. She is excited for everything to come with this next chapter as she starts college at Kennesaw State University in the fall where she will double major in broadcast journalism and environmental science.

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Have you ever wondered how even the smallest acts can ripple out and create significant impacts? 

In this episode, Melissa has a conversation with Marycelis Otero, a candidate for Holy Orders to the Priesthood in The Diocese of Atlanta. Marycelis shares how viewing life through a faith-based lens can transform our seemingly minor contributions into monumental movements. By drawing parallels to the biblical story of the feeding of the 5,000, she reveals how each of us possesses unique gifts that can be harnessed to serve a greater purpose in God's plan. Listen in for the full conversation. 

Marycelis Otero is a Candidate for the Holy Orders to the Priesthood in The Diocese of Atlanta. Originally from the Islands of Puerto Rico, Marycelis is in the final year of her Masters in Divinity for the Episcopal and Anglican Studies Program at Emory's Candler School of Theology. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Mass Communications Technologies with a minor in Strategic Communications. In her career, Marycelis has worked as Associate Producer for Day1, a ministry of the Alliance for Christian Media. She has supported the Office of Ethnic Ministries of The Episcopal Church, and she is the translator for the For Faith Devotional. Currently, Marycelis serves as a seminarian at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, where she supports both the English and Spanish-speaking populations. Marycelis enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching movies, and especially investing her time creating experiences with her husband and their sons.

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